This article is part of the Inside The Collective series, dedicated to guiding developers and community members through the ecosystem. From getting and staking RIF to submitting and voting for proposals, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this series.
Submitting a proposal to RootstockCollective is one of the best ways for Bitcoin builders to secure funding, grow visibility, and gain backer support. But in a thriving ecosystem, what will give your proposal the strongest chance of success?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a proposal that backers and the Collective community will get behind.
Every successful proposal begins with alignment. The RootstockCollective exists to grow Bitcoin’s utility by supporting builders, funding projects, and strengthening the Rootstock ecosystem. If your proposal doesn’t clearly connect to this mission, it’s unlikely to gain traction.
There are two main ways to apply for support:
Grants Proposals: Designed for builders who have a clear plan to deploy on mainnet and can demonstrate their concept in practice. Whether you’re preparing your first mainnet launch or scaling a proven idea, our grants provide milestone-based funding, visibility, and community-driven governance.
Collective Rewards Proposals: For builders who are already deployed on Rootstock and are looking for ongoing support. Once voted through the DAO and activated, Builders have the opportunity to engage with the community, earn votes, and receive rewards on a bi-weekly basis.
Before drafting, make sure you know which track best fits your project. Each has slightly different expectations, processes, and funding outcomes.
Proposals should be easy to read. Avoid jargon and explain your project in plain language: what you want to do, why it matters, and how it works. If backers can’t understand your proposal within a few minutes, they’re less likely to support it.
Backers want to know what problem you’re solving. Clearly define the gap or challenge, then explain how your project addresses it. Show why your approach is the best fit, and connect it back to the broader Rootstock ecosystem.
Transparency builds trust. Provide a clear budget that explains how funds will be used and why funding is required. Proposals with vague or inflated budgets are often questioned or rejected. A clear financial plan shows you’re serious about delivery.
Be specific about how your project benefits Rootstock. Will it attract developers? Increase usage? Bring in new users? Use metrics where possible, for example, projected number of wallets integrated, transactions supported, or community members onboarded.
Backers need confidence that you can deliver. Highlight your team’s experience, past work, or successful pilots. The stronger your track record, the more likely your proposal is to be approved.
Don’t wait until the on-chain vote to connect with the community. Share your proposal draft on the RootstockCollective Forum and invite feedback. Engage with comments, clarify questions, and adjust based on input.
📌 Pro tip: Reach out to delegates in the community to gather their perspective. Taking delegate feedback into account before submitting on-chain significantly increases your chances of approval.
Proposals follow a clear lifecycle. Skipping steps can derail or delay approval. The flow is:
Understanding these steps ensures your proposal progresses smoothly through governance.
Strong proposals are backed by evidence. Include relevant data, case studies, or examples. If your idea is inspired by a proven model in another ecosystem, link to it. If you’ve already tested your solution, show results.
Ambition is good, but overpromising without a clear plan can be damaging. Set achievable goals and timelines. Demonstrating a phased roadmap with realistic milestones shows you’re serious about execution.
To help you structure your grant proposal, RootstockCollective provides a proposal template. Using this template ensures clarity, consistency, and makes it easier for backers and delegates to evaluate your idea.
Proposals that get approved don’t just have good ideas; they align with the Collective’s mission, communicate clearly, and engage with the community from the start. By being transparent, collaborative, and realistic, you’ll maximize your chances of gaining RIF allocations, backer votes, and long-term support.